Powder expulsion means



May 15, 1951 J. E. KUCHER POWDER EXPULSION MEANS Filed Oct. 5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. UOJEPH E. Aucwa? May 15, 1951 J. E. KUCHER POWDER EXPULSION MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 3, 1947 INVENTOR. Moss/w E. KUCHER ATTO/Q/VEX y 15, 1951 J. E. KUCHER 2,552,979

POWDER EXPULSION MEANS Filed Oct. 3, 1947 i s Sheets-Sheet s IN V EN TOR. l/QSEPH E. flue/1E1? A T TOR/VE'X Patented May 15, 1951 POWDER EXPULSION MEANS Joseph E. Kucher, Lyndhurst, N. J., assignor to C-O-Two Fire Equipment Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application October 3, 1947, Serial No. 777,664

9 Claims. 1

The present invention relatesto discharging means for fluids, and more particularly to a discharge head for a container of fluid which is to be expelled by pressure applied thereto.

In fire extinguishing installations such as airplane systems, fire extinguishing fluids are often used in which the vapor pressure of the fluid is so low that the fluid is not self-expelling from its container, or if self-expelling, the rate of discharge is insufiicient for efficient fire extinguishing purposes. Further, the vapor pressures of the fire extinguishing fluids vary to a considerable extent over the temperature range in which they are used. In fire extinguishing systems which use fluids as water, methyl bromide, monochlorobromomethane and other fluids of low vapor pressure, the effectiveness of the system depends to a large extent upon quickly delivering the extinguishing agent to the fire by the use of a high rate of discharge. In such systems, it is advisable to use an expelling agent to forcefully expel the fluid from its container.

Airplane fire extinguishing systems are particularly subject to a considerable variation in temperature, particularly when the planes are operated at a high altitude. The low temperature of the high altitude reduces the normal vapor pressure of the extinguishing fluid. Heretofore, in

such systems, nitrogen or other gases of high vapor pressure often have been used as the ex- 1' pelling agent. Inasmuch as such gases must be stored in heavy high pressure containers, the weight of the container has presented a difliculty because of the weight limitations of aircraft equipment. Another disadvantage in the use of high pressure gases as the expelling agent is that bulky and cumbersome apparatus is required for the recharge of the system after an operation thereof.

The present invention aims to provide a discharge head which overcomes many of the difficulties and disadvantages of prior devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fire extinguisher discharge head in which the pressure of the expelling agent remains practically constant irrespective of the temperature under which it is operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguisher which is small, compact and light in weight and is therefore particularly adapted for installations where size and weight is of importance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flre extinguisher discharge head which,

after operation thereof, may be easily recharged for successive operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for controlling the rupturing of a disc sealing a container of fire extinguishing fluid so that a flap will burst out of the body of the disc, providing a wide opening therethrough, the flap itself remaining attached at one side to the body of the disc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguisher discharge head and the parts therefor which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, durable in use, and efficient in operation.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a fire extinguisher discharge head in which an expelling agent is provided by the gases resulting from the combustion of a slow-burning powder. The discharge head is used in an extinguisher in which the fire extinguishing agent is stored in a container provided with a novel discharge head having a combustion chamber for the burning of the powder upon the ignition thereof. The gases from the combustion of the powder are conducted to the surface of the fire extinguishing agent to be expelled which is thereby forced through a syphon tube and through the discharge head to a discharge conduit. A further feature of the invention is a support for a frangible sealing disc normally adapted to close oil the combustion chamber from the container for the fire extinguishing agent in which the edge of the support is designed, upon the bursting of the disc, to cut a flap from the body of the disc providing a discharge passage but retaining the flap attached to the body of the disc. In order to cut the flap, a sharp edge is provided on a portion of the disc support while the remaining portion of the edge thereof is rounded oil so that the flap is not completely severed from the body of the disc.

The construction in accordance with the invention is advantageous in that recharging may be accomplished Without removing the container for the fire extinguishing fluid from its operating position. The recharge of fire extinguishing fluid may be poured into the container and the powder expulsion charge inserted in the combustion chamber without the necessity of making up high pressure connections as is the case when gas pressure is used.

Another advantage is that a fire extinguisher is provided which is shatterproof under gunfire inasmuch as internal pressure is developed in the container only during the time of discharge after the powder charge has been ignited.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings which show, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an airplane equipped with a fire extinguisher system in accordance with the invention. The fire extinguishing system is shown schematically, one of the containers being broken away to show the syphon tube extending to the bottom thereof.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a discharge head in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the discharge head shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 3a is a view of the remaining portion of the discharge head shown in Fig. 3.

. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken-along the line 4'4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the main valve member of the discharge head.

Fig. 6 is a top view of a partition member closing the combustion chamber of the discharge head.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of Fig. 3a.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a plug member of the discharge head.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an airplane I equipped with a fire extinguishing system utilizing control means or a discharge head in accordance with the invention. The fire extinguishing system comprises one or more containers 2 positioned in any suitable location. in the airplane, a discharge head 4, at the top. of the container, a discharge conduit 5. leading to spaces to be protected, and control. means 6, preferably located in the pilots compartment.

The container 2 may be of any suitable type to withstand the pressure used in expelling fire extinguishing fiuid therefrom and is shown as being cylindrical in shape with its outlet at the top thereof. The discharge conduit. 5 extends from the discharge head 4' to the spaces to be protected, the terminus of the discharge conduit 5 being shown as perforated ring-shaped tubes I in the engine nacelles 8 although other distribution means may be employed. Selector valves 9, which may be of the electromagnetic type, areprovided todirect the discharge of fiuid through the discharge conduit 5 to alternate spaces.

The discharge head 4. comprises a housing or casing I having an inlet end ll adapted to be received in the outlet of. the container 2 to serve as a closure therefor, an outlet end l2 adaptedto be connected to the discharge conduit 5, and a safety outlet [4 adapted to be connected to a conduit l which may lead to the outside of the airplane. An extension [6 on the, side of the housing provides housing means forv a combustion chamber to be described hereinafter. The discharge head is adapted to be actuated electrically through a control cable I1.

The housing [0 is of generally tubular shape and is formed with a passage l9 extendin therethrough having a widened central portion 20. A

partition 2| across the widened portion 20 of the passage [9 forms the bottom wall ofv a valve chamber 22 located at the upper-end of thehousing. The partition 2| is provided with an aperture 23 forming a fluid passage therethrough; the lower end thereof being threaded to support a syphon tube 24 extending to the lower portion of the container 2. As may be seen in Fig. 3, the axis of the opening of the passage I9 is offset somewhat from the axis of the widened portion 20 so that the syphon tube is supported on one side by the wall of the passage is. A valve seat 25 is formed in the valve chamber 22 about the aperture 23 by forming a countersunk surface about the aperture. A valve member 26, adapted to engage the valve seat 25, is formed with a seating material 2'7 positioned on its lower surface and retained in position by a screw 29. The valve member 26 is provided with an apertured flange 30 adapted to guide it as it is reciprocated in an enlarged portion 31 of the upper endv of passage l9, and the valve member is resiliently urged against its seat by a spiral spring 32 compressed between the upper surface thereof and a shoulder 33 forming the end wall of the valve chamber 22.

To facilitate assembly of the valve member '25 in the valve chamber 22, the upper portion I2 may be made separately and attached to the housing It] by threaded engagement therewith as indicated at 33 or by other suitable means. For a like reason the partition. 2|v may be made separately and positioned in an enlarged end 35 of the widened portion 20. of passage R9, the partition being sealed against fluid leakage by a gasket 35 and retained in position by the upper portion l2. The outlet end I2 of the discharge head is threaded as indicated at 51 for connec tion with the discharge conduit 5.

A safety plug 38 is adapted to be connected in the safety outlet l4 and is formed with a passage 39 extending therethrough with an enlarged portion of the passage forming a valve chamber 45. An annular valve seat 4| is positioned about the passage 39 within the valve chamber 50.. A valve member 42. is placed within, the valve chamber 40 and resiliently urged against its valve seat 4! by a spiral spring 4.4-. An outlet end 45 of the safety plug 38v is adapted to be connected to the conduit l5 which may be piped, to the outside of. the airplane or. other space being protected.

The extension I5 of the housing IE1 is tubular in shape witha passagev extending therethrough providing a combustion chamber 5T and is posi tioned' opposite the safety outlet [4. As shown. the extension I6 is preferably made as a separate member and attached to the main body ofthe housing If) by a threaded connection 55 or by other suitable, connecting means. The combustion chamber 5-1 is adapted to receive igniting means wat-its outer end. A powder charge 49 is adapted-to be positioned'in the combustionchamber 41. The combustion chamber is closed off from thewidened portion 200i the housing If] by a partition 51 formed with combustion outlet passages '52 and 54 extending'therethrough. The passages 52' and 54 are enlarged at one end thereof and threaded to receive a-pertured plugs 55 and 56. As may beseen. in Fig. 9, the edge of the intersection of thewall ofaperture 55a of the plug 55 with its end wall: 55b=is made sharp over the greater portion of the annular length of the edgeas indicated-at 55c. whilethe-remainihg portion. of the annular length of: the edge is rounded. 01f. as indicated at 55d. The plug 55- ismade likewise. Frangible discs 5.13 and 59 are held intheenlarged portion of. the passages. 52 and 54 to, close the. openingsathereofrby the-plugs 55 and 55, fluid tight seals being provided by gaskets 58. One of the discs is adapted to be ruptured by a pressure considerably lower than that required to rupture the other disc. A screening member 60 is positioned in the combustion chamber adjacent the partition 5|. The screening member is preferably disc-like in shape and formed With parallel slotted openings 6| providing passage therethrough. A fluid tight seal is provided between the extension 16 and the casing in by gaskets E2 and 64. A ceramic heat resisting tube 65 is placed about the syphon tube 24 in line with the discharge from the combustion chamber so that the syphon tube will be protected against damage by the heat of the discharge.

The igniting means 48 may be of any suitable type to ignite the powder charge 49. The igniting means 48 shown in Fig. Bais comprised of a hollow housing 10 containing a molded insulating material I! separating electric wires 12 and I3 terminating in an igniting cap 14. The electrical wires 12 and 13 are carried through a cable 15 to the control means 6 and to a source of electric energy.

In the operation of the fire extinguishing system, the control means 6 is actuated to preset one of the selector valves 9 to the open position so that the system is ready to supply fire extinguishing fluid to a selected space. The control means 6 is then further actuated to supply electric energy to the igniting means48 of the discharge head 4. ignited and rapidly builds up pressure in the combustion chamber 41. The frangible disc 57 is ruptured at a predetermined pressure, the sharp edge 55s of the plug 55 cutting a flap in the frangible disc, However, the rounded portion 55d of the edge of the plug does not complete the severance of the flap and it remains attached to the main body of the disc. The slotted openings 6| of the screening member 60 prevent unburned powder from blocking the passages in the plug 55. The discharge from the combustion chamber 4'! then passes through the passages and H! to the surface of the fluid to be expelled from the container 2. The pressure causes the fluid to flow through the syphon tube 24 and unseat the valve member 26 and thence flow through the discharge conduit 5 to the perforated ring tube 1 where it is discharged. The valve member performs the dual function of preventing the flow of the fluid from the container when the plane is tipped at a large angle as in banking the plane while making a turn and also as a check valve in a multi-container installation in preventing back flow from later discharged containers into containers which have already been discharged. Another function of the valve 2% is to assure the proper operation of the fire extinguishing system in the event one container of a multi-container system has been removed and not replaced, thus leaving the system open at this location.

In the event the pressure rise in the combustion chamber 41 becomes excessive, the frangible disc 5'! will also rupture releasing the powder gases to the passage 20. In the event the pressure in passage 26 exceeds a predetermined amount, the safety valve member 42 is unseated thus venting the gas to the atmosphere through the safety outlet conduit 15. As the safety valve 42 is spring-seated, it will return to its seat after the excess pressure has been vented thus maintaining adequate pressure over the fire extinguishing The powder charge 49 is.

fluid in the container 2 for the operation of the system. v

The recharging of the system may be done by removing the upper portion l2 of the discharge head and refilling the container 2 through the syphon tube 24. The powder charge is replaced by unscrewing the extension I6 of the discharge head so that the powder recharge may be positioned in the combustion chamber 41.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides a fire'extingushing system discharge head which overcomes many of the difficulties presented by prior discharge heads. In the system in accordance with the invention, the pressure remains practically constant over the range of temperatures under which it is to be operated. The equipment is light in weight and particularly suitable forairplane installations. The system may be easilyrecharged without the use of auxiliary rechargin apparatus. A novel discharge head has:

been provided which is compact in form and! incorporates improved safety release means and. a frangible disc support which leaves the:

flap of the ruptured disc attached to the body thereof so that upon recharging of the system,.. the rupture disc may be removed in one piece. The apparatus is simple in construction, eco-- nomical to manufacture, durable in use and ellicient in operation.

. While the. invention has been described and? illustrated with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention. For example, the combustion chamber has been described as closed by at least one frangible disc although it is apparent that a valve member adapted to withstand the high temperature such as the valve used in internal combustion engines, might alternatively be used. Further, the discharge outlet has been described as closed by a valve member, while a frangible disc might be substituted for the valve member. Likewise, the container has been described as having one opening thereto, while other constructions might embody a container having a separate opening for the gases from the combustion chamber and a discharge outlet for the fire extinguishing fluid. In still other constructions, the combustion chamber might be formed in a member separate from the discharge head for the container or positioned within the container itself. Therefore, the form of the invention set out above should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A discharge head for a container comp-rising a casing having a pair of intersecting passages forming a chamber, inlet and outlet ports for the chamber, an apertured partition between the inlet and outlet ports dividing the chamber into a valve chamber adjacent the outlet and a main chamber adjacent the inlet, a valve seat in the valve chamber about the aperture, a valve member in the valve chamber, the casing also forming a combustion chamber, and a second aper-- tured wall between the main chamber and the combustion chamber.

2. A discharge head comprising a housing having a pair of intersecting passages including one fluid passage therethrough, a valve chamber in said passage, a valve member in the valve chamber normally closing the passage and adapted to be opened by predetermined pressure, a second 7 fluid passage in the housing, a combustion chamher in the housing in fluid communication with thesecbnd passage, and a frangible disc normally closing the second passage and adapted to be ruptured by a predetermined: pressure.

a. A discharge head housing, the housing having astraight passage extending-therethrough, an apertured wall extending across the passage, a valve seat about the aperture, an extension of housing providing a combustion chamber positioned transversely with respect to the axial length thereof; and aseconcl' apertured wall sep arating the cpm-bustionv chamber from the passa e.

4c, A supporting member toprovide a backing in a, frangible disc, the member having a flat wall: with. aperture: therein, the edge" of'the intersection; ofrthe' fiat surface and the opening at aperture. bein sharp. over a portion of the cirfiumference of: the edge and: rounded over remaining. portion. thereof sothat a pre' determined pressure of an amount to rupture the; disc; will; sever only the. portion of'the. disc bearing upon the sharp edge, whereby upon the r lhtu e; thereof the center of: the disc is retamed by. it edge;

5317A supporting member to provide a backing fore-a frangible disc; the member havingafiat W941: with; anaperture therein; theedge of the intersection of the flat surface-and the opening Q1; the; aperture being'shanpoyer the l'argerportiQnzQfi' thecircumference of the edge and round ed, over-1; theremaining portion thereof so that a-nrcdetdrmined pressure-ofanamount to rup"-- ture; the; disc: Will, sever a. flap-- from the: mainboglmotf the disc.- leaving: an uncut portion of atsizfilsuflicientrtoservezas aLhinge-for said flap; 6 A dischargez headfora container comprising a casing havingsa vertical passage-and a trans-- verse'zpassage intersectinggthe vertical passage to I form aipressure chamber-1, an A apertured: partition for ng= theiuppervend" of the chamber, a valve seat abeut the ,=.aperture in the partition, a valve member; adapted. to. engage the valve seat, the upper, end, of-fthe; vertical passage forming the DQ113 15". for the; discharge-w head, an inlet tube iifi ilt dyto extend; through 1 the vertical passage to theuaperturediparrtition' in fluid communication w; i h-jthezputlet through gthe aperture in the par titron; Safety fiuid: release means xat one end of Y thetransverse .passage, the transverse passage" forming a=,co mb;ustion1 chamber at: itsother end, arnapertured; partition separating the combustion hamber from the pressure chamber; and meansverse-passage intersecting the vertical passage to:

form-a pressure chamber, anapertured partition forming the upper end-of the chamber, a valveseat, about the aperture the partition, aivalve member adapted to. engage the valveseat; an'inlet 1- tube adapted to extendgthroughzthe vertical pas-l. sage to the-apertured partition in fiuidicommuni-i cationawith the, aperturejin'the partition,the transverse passage forming; ,a' combustionrchams 8 ber at-its" other end, an apertured partition sepa rating the combustion chamber from the pressure chamber, the vertical passage providinga fluid passage between the inlet tube and its wall for the passage of fluid from the pressure chamber to the container. I

8. A discharge head for a container comprising a casing having a vertical passage and a transverse passage intersecting the vertical passage to form a pressure chamber, an apertured partition forming; the upper end of the chamber, a valve seat'about the aperture in the partition, a valve member adapted to engage the valve seat, the upper endof the vertical passage forming the outlet of the discharge head, an inlet tube adapted to extend through the vertical passage to the apertured partition in fluid communication with the outlet through the aperture in the partition, safety-fluid release-means atone end of the transverse passage; the transverse passage forming a combustion chamber at its other end, anapertmed partition separating the combustion ch'a'm her from-the pressure chamber, means providing flui'd passage from the pressure chamber to the container, and frangible means closing the'aper tune in thec'om'bus'tion chamber partition.

9? A discharge head for a container comprising alb'od y' havinga pair of vertical and horizontal intersecting pa'ssagesforming a' pressur'e chamber attheir: intersection, the upper end of thevertical" passage forming the outlet fof'the discharge head,

apertured partition in the vertical" passage above the intersectionof the passages, an outlet" valve? seat about the aperture on the outward side of the paitition; an outlet valve member adapted' to enga'gthe valve sea't, resilient means normally'ui'gingthe outlet valve member against its seat; arr inlet pipe extending outwardly from ther lower end o'fthevertical passage andha'ving" an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of' theipassage to provide a fiuid passage therebetweemans-apertured partition f closing one end of thesho'ri'zontal passage; a safety-waive seat-about thei'aperture on the outer'sid'e of 'the partition, a safetyi'valvet adaptedto engage its'seat, resilient meansatnormally urging" the safety valve against itseseat.the outer end -of the" other end of the horizontal passage'cl'osedito form a combustion chamber; anapertured pa: ltion across the innerendi' ofr'the' horizontal passa'ge to separate; the

combustion' chamber from the pressure chamber;

andzra frangibledisc cl'osing the aperture' in the combustion chamber wall.

JOSEPH E. KUCHER.

REFERENCES CITED 1 The. following. references are of record inthefile'lof. this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 'I'urechek Jan. 1, 1946' 

